They attract millions of visitors each year, lured by the convenience of doing all their shopping under one roof, with restaurants, cinemas and more to boot.
This retro photo gallery shows South Yorkshire’s malls as they looked during the 90s.
Meadowhall and Crystal Peaks, in Sheffield, Doncaster’s Frenchgate Centre, Parkgate, in Rotherham, and Barnsley’s Alhambra feature in this trip down memory lane.
The nostalgic photos show lost shops, including C&A, BHS, Woolworths, Tandy and Debenhams.
They capture big events over the years, from Christmas lights switch-ons to concerts and filming for a major TV show.
Famous visitors are pictured, including Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn, Star Wars actor Kenny Baker and two of the original Gladiators, Cobra and Lightning.
And ordinary shoppers are seen too, browsing for bargains in the sale, taking part in competitions and raising money for charity by bathing in baked beans and custard.
These photos show how much has changed in the course of more than a quarter of a century at these familiar landmarks.
How many of you remember the big screen at Meadowhall’s Oasis dining quarter, for example, or the old UCI cinema at Crystal Peaks, which in 1997 hosted the premiere of The Full Monty?
Do these photos bring back any memories for you, and where is your favourite place to shop?
9. Superdrug
A-level Student Emma Neal working in Superdrug at Rotherham's Parkgate shopping centre in 1998 | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Barry Richardson
10. Our Price
The entrance to Doncaster's Frenchgate Centre in 1998, showing shops including Our Price | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Dennis Lound
11. Teletubbies
At the Teletubbies roadshow at Meadowhall in 1999 are the Patterson family from Netherthorpe, who are big Tubbies fans. They are, left to right, Curtis, 20 months, mum Zoe, dad Dave and 3-year-old Luke. | Sheffield Newspapers Ltd
12. Santa's grotto
Taryn Shaw, aged 6, of Worsbrough Bridge, meets Santa at Barnsley's Alhambra shopping centre in 1997 | Sheffield Newspapers Photo: Stuart Hastings